"Chapter Twelve;
Informed"
- Espio's POV
One thing Shadow didn't know was how close I really was. When I came to Sonic's room, I could already see how he was conversing with Sonic about the nurses nearby. I chuckled, and cloaked myself. I just had to see this!
I slipped into the room, before the door closed, and crept up, next to Sonic's bed, where he and Shadow were both talking. They finished whatever it was they were mumbling, and Shadow had stuck out his arm, allowing the nurse to draw his blood. When it came in, Sonic's hand, currently holding Shadow's, was squeezing it as tightly as possible.
When that was done, Shadow spoke up. "Can ya get him something to eat?" Sonic looked relieved when the nurse said yes, and left them.
It was only after that I saw how Sonic was looking at Shadow. "Here we go again!" It was way too weird when he tried to come at me, but to see him coming at Shadow, right now, it seemed effective.
As soon as the door closed, Shadow was pulled into an unexpected hug. I had to hold myself from laughing! Shadow's eyes were wide, and were slightly confused, but then softened into care; this, I knew, would be one of few times I saw Shadow actually showing emotion.
He was very hesitant, but he soon returned Sonic's embrace, looking happy, and relieved. He rested his head on Sonic's shoulder, relaxing slightly.
I noticed that he was still tired; bags under his eyes, and his serious look had even dulled. He was gonna pass out any second...literally! Sonic had slightly released Shadow, allowing him to rest his head on his pillow with his face a few inches away from Sonic's. He was out in a matter of seconds with Sonic close behind.
I'll admit it, they looked cute together, but I'm pretty sure if Amy saw this, it would be interrogation to the extreme, and Shadow would be dead within an hour.
I sighed, quitting with the camouflage, and releasing the sleeping ebony from the ivory. I dragged Shadow to the cushioned stool, and set him down on it. I placed one of the nearby pillows underneath his head, and found a comforter to blanket him.
I stood by Sonic, and straightened him up in a more proper sleeping position. When the nurse came with the food, I told her to keep it in a microwave, or something, until Sonic woke up. She was confused until she saw what I did with Shadow and Sonic. She sighed, then left.
I had a run in with Sonic's doctor when he saw Shadow sleeping, then explained his exhaustion, and how I'd get him home when the others arrived. He gave a nod, before walking away.
After fifteen minutes, everyone was there, Amy first in line. I shut the door before anyone entered. "Espi-" I cut off Amy's shouting, by hushing her, then pointing to the door. Her eyes softened from their anger. "Sonic's sleeping, isn't he?" She asked.
"Him and Shadow alike! Doctors were about to rush him to examination if I didn't stop 'em." I told her.
She seemed confused. "Why's Shadow asleep?" She asked.
She didn't notice? Of course she didn't! She was too worried about Sonic to notice how everyone else was doing. I just nodded at her. "Shadow's been searching for Sonic the hardest, if you'll believe it. He had little sleep, always waking up early, and staying out late, with little food breaks, and gauging coffee in him to ensure he wouldn't fall asleep! I knew he'd knock out sooner or later, but he seemed too determined to stop until the task was done! He's resting, and we're gonna have to get him home, soon!" I informed them.
They seemed to have understood, because no one bothered with questions, and they were quiet; only thing that was really there were some looks of sympathy. Noticing this, I stepped aside.
Amy didn't go in immediately, or in the same way she normally would. She walked up to the door, quietly, then opened the door, slowly.
- Knuckles' POV
When I saw how Amy's act changed, I was surprised, but when we entered the room, we were even more surprised to see a badly beaten Sonic sound asleep, and an exhausted looking ultimate life form, passed out, and definitely not waking up for awhile!
Amy, before seeing if Sonic was alright, walked over to where Shadow was, and embraced his unconscious form. "Thank you!" She told him in a small whisper. Saying this to the hedgehog that had completely made you break down, and cry, is unusual, this much I knew.
We all walked over to Sonic's bed, taking a few glances at Shadow every couple of minutes, or so. When I heard mumbles come out of him a few minutes later, I knew he was gonna wake up soon.
- Amy's POV
I was very tempted to destroy him, but when Espio explained how hard Shadow really was working just to find Sonic, made me feel a pang of regret. I assumed he had yelled at me because he was tired, and couldn't keep his composure with how exhausted he felt.
My attention was on Sonic, until I heard some mumbles coming out of Shadow, then a few moans.
Knuckles was the first to go to him, followed by Rouge, then me. We all watched as the older hedgehog struggled to open his eyes.
A couple moments after everyone caught up with us, Shadow's eyelids lifted, revealing dull red eyes, compared to its usual crimson. Shadow's face only held a dazed look of confusion. "Hey, Shads! How ya feeling, hun?" Rouge asked, casually.
Shadow, just getting free of the daze, only rolled his eyes at her, before forcing him to sit up. About halfway up, he seemed to have gotten a head rush. I could tell by the instant act of his palm grabbing his head. "You should take it easy! You've earned the rest, anyways. If not for you, Sonic might not be here!" I told him, giving him a small smile.
- Shadow's POV
I was staring at her in complete shock. Knuckles gave a head gesture towards Espio, one of few who noticed how exhausted I made myself.
Amy, being the closest person near me, put my arm over her shoulder, and helped me back to my feet. "I warned ya!" Espio muttered at me. I didn't pay any attention, I was too tired. At the time, the only thing I was concerned about was leaving before any doctor could put me in ICU.
Knuckles decided to help her, seeing as how she wasn't really helping me keep my balance. "How's about we get you home?" He asked. I didn't argue. I simply nodded, and let him lead me out the door.
Vector offered a ride, and Knuckles, known for getting lost while walking around Darkview, accepted. Espio wasn't coming with us, but Amy had the sudden...'interest,' how I should say it, to come, and help them take care of me. I would have retorted, if not for the fact I didn't trust them being left alone without someone to control them, and since Charmy wasn't that type, and Espio wasn't coming, I simply said thanks.
- Rouge's POV
They left with tired sap, and everyone else went home about fifteen minutes later. Only ones that were there were Sonic, myself, and Espio. He seemed to have been staring at Sonic with greater curiosity than Shadow could even ponder. "Camo, what are you thinking about?" I questioned.
He looked back at me, a little startled. I guess he figured I left with everybody else. He cleared his throat. "Does it matter?" Of course I nodded. No way could we allow Shadow any competition over Sonic! He only sighed. "Does Sonic...ya know, like Shadow?" He asked, sounding pretty awkward with the question. Can't say I blame him!
I smirked. He must have figured it out when he got here. "How 'd ya figure?" I asked.
He sighed. "When I got here, the two were hugging, and then fell asleep on the same pillow. I moved Shadow so that way Amy didn't have a fit!" He explained.
Now it made sense. I chuckled. "Yeah, he does! In all honesty, though, it's pretty obvious that Shadow likes him too." I pointed out.
He sighed. "I'll bite! How did Sonic fall for him?" He asked, annoyed.
I chuckled. "That's not really clear to us! According to the knucklehead, he's been in love with Shadow ever since he returned after the ark was destroyed. He was just so desperate, that he acted like he was in love with others; one including you. Claimed that he's always loved Shadow, and hated the fact he made Shadow hate him." I told him.
Camo seemed rather surprised, at first. Within the next few seconds, he grew a smirk, placing his hands on his hips. "I'm going to assume you and Knuckles are helping Sonic catch his man?"
"Got that right!" I answered, casually.
Espio just snickered as he turned his head towards Sonic. "Then I only have one more question!" He claimed. I stared at him, anxiously awaiting it; the suspense was killing me. He finally turned his head back at me, that smirk still on his face. "Need anymore help?" He asked, slyly.
My smirk had returned as I could see Camo coming up with several ideas on what to do. "Sure!" I said to him.
here ya go! i try my hardest, so if anything's wrong with Espio, feel free to converse; im not exactly an expert on him, but i need him...
